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Tamron 70-200mm 2.8 Lens question

After many good reviews on the above lens on this forum, I am going to order 1 in the next few days. I own a A350. I am a newbie to dslr cameras.
My question is what teleconverter would be my best choice to go along with this lens?
My main subjects will be in the nature field, moose, deer, birds that will be mostly from 75 to maybe tops 150 yards. I am looking to take photos that I can get some large enlargments to frame,, maybe somewhere near 16 x 20 to 22x28 with very good IQ. I need some advice on some of the best values on teleconverters.

After many good reviews on the above lens on this forum, I am going to order 1 in the next few days. I own a A350. I am a newbie to dslr cameras.
My question is what teleconverter would be my best choice to go along with this lens?
My main subjects will be in the nature field, moose, deer, birds that will be mostly from 75 to maybe tops 150 yards. I am looking to take photos that I can get some large enlargments to frame,, maybe somewhere near 16 x 20 to 22x28 with very good IQ. I need some advice on some of the best values on teleconverters.

Many thanks!
Bob

I'm not sure how they will turn out size-wise. But there's only a couple TC's that will work with this lens.

I don't believe the Minolta or Sony TCs will work, they are pretty limited.

You don't really want anything more than a 1.4x TC because IQ degrades quickly afterwards. You might also want to consider the Tamron 200-500mm because you can never have enough zoom for wildlife .

If you don't need the F/2.8 aperture, then something longer is definitely better.

Or maybe the Sony 70-300mm G SSM if you want the fast SSM focus, Sony G quality (great IQ out at 300mm), and it's similarly priced. This lens is also pretty small and doesn't have a tripod mount on it and is very portable. Can't say the same with the previous two.

Or maybe wait till January, and check out Sony's new 70-400mm G SSM, although it's going to be quite large.

Making the real choice ...

I guess I could probably weigh in on this discussion ... having that longer lens and speaking from serious experience across two different manufacturers of all these lenses and cameras.

As far as my experience tells me ... it is unwise to use a T/C with the 70-200 /2.8 This lens is a top notch performer, but if you add a 2x T/C to it ... you have reduced the base aperture to f/5.6! With a circular polarizer on the front of it, it may not even autofocus properly.

The TAMRONSP AF 200-500 f/5-6.3 Di LD has superior focus and IQ all the way through its range. It is designed to shoot long and weighes only 43 ounces. It is the lens to use, if you plan on outdoor "close-ups"

T/Cs tend to degrade overall focus speed by nearly doubling it. The knock on the TAMRON 70-200 f/2.8 is its focus speed, although it is not as bad on the SONY mount as it is on the Canon ... still ... now, you are going to drive it even SLOWER? This is not a great idea.

T/Cs tend to degrade Image Quality (IQ) ... so if you have a great lens, then add a coke bottle bottom to it ... what's the point? By owning a 70-200 f/2.8 lens, you are already stating you actually care about your imaging. Buy the longer glass ... to add it to your selection ... not some kind of emergency optical band-aid!

Finally, others have been in your position and if someone is advising you that a T/C is a good choice ... well, let's see the evidence on a routine basis, shooting long.

I got this with the TAMRON 200-500 ... and I am not complaining.

Don Schap - BFA, Digital Photography A Photographer Is ForeverLook, I did not create the optical laws of the Universe ... I simply learned to deal with them.
Remember: It is usually the GLASS, not the camera (except for moving to Full Frame), that gives you the most improvement in your photography.flickr® & Sdi

Tamron 200-500 sounds like the way to go, going to get mine in the spring.
the soon to be out 70-500 GSSM maybe a good choice if you got the cash!
another option is the good old Tokina 80-400 ATX I love mine, I know Don has one, but maybe with the 350's sensor and wanting to do large prints you may be better off with a newer, faster lens.
all that being said the tamron 70-200 is a damn nice and handy lens

Tamron 200-500 sounds like the way to go, going to get mine in the spring.
the soon to be out 70-500 GSSM maybe a good choice if you got the cash!
another option is the good old Tokina 80-400 ATX I love mine, I know Don has one, but maybe with the 350's sensor and wanting to do large prints you may be better off with a newer, faster lens.
all that being said the tamron 70-200 is a damn nice and handy lens

It's the 70-400mm G SSM which you have covered with your Tokina actually. 200-500mm maybe the way to go!

The one thing you need to define is your shooting activity. The Tokina AT-X 840 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 just did not cut it at the airshow. I really tried to make use of it, but it was a bit too slow to focus and I never seemed to be able to "keep up with the traffic." I missed a few shots, until I changed to the 200-500. The "keepers" sky-rocketed!

Now, in the woods, as a "Nature lens", the 80-400 blew the socks off the 200-500mm f/5-6.3 ... because it is shorter, lighter, wider and it allows you to get a bit closer (8-feet instead of 10-feet). Like I said, depends on the mission. It is wise to have and use both, as needed.

The 70-200mm at the airshow is just not long enough! If you choose to try and use a 1.4x or 2x T/C to extend it ... you slow the autofocus to a relative crawl and reduce the clarity of the shot. Hey, at 600mph closure rate ... screw that noise! You are going to be missing a lot of good stuff. It's hard enough when the lens is quick!

All these lenses have a place and a time. That's why they are made. A five lens kit is your basic layout:

10-20mm (or something like it) UWA (when you cannot fit everyone in ... this gets 'em)
17-50mm or 28-75mm or 16-80mm (your working lens)
70-200mm f/2.8 (your superior telephoto ... we are not talking about a 70-300mm f/4-5.6 here)
200-500mm f/5-6.3 (super-telephoto ... outdoor aircraft, birding, graduation ceremonies, daytime football/soccer close-ups and hard to reach areas)
50mm f/1.4 or f/1.7 (the "low-light/natural light wonder" ... when you get indoors and flash is not an option ... it won't zoom ... you just move closer or back up! )

Of course there are true MACROs and Portrait lenses ... but, those are usually occasional, special needs lenses ... and they are not for everyone. Believe me, you will know when you need one and it will wind up in your bag. The five lenses should do it for most folks. Reach and width ... plus some sharp focus.

Last edited by DonSchap; 12-14-2008 at 08:54 PM.

Don Schap - BFA, Digital Photography A Photographer Is ForeverLook, I did not create the optical laws of the Universe ... I simply learned to deal with them.
Remember: It is usually the GLASS, not the camera (except for moving to Full Frame), that gives you the most improvement in your photography.flickr® & Sdi

So looks like all I REALLY need is to pick up a UWA, still have that Sigma for sale? I would love to have the new Tamron 'just because' but you can't beat quality used glass for a trusted person!! And my sights are set on the 200-500, just waiting to pull the trigger. And Don speaking of Tokina, you still have that small one for sale? tell me a bit about it if you will, I don't 'need' it but I REALLY like my big Tokina, and well I have this fascination going with lenses, LOL